Libyans celebrate 6th anniversary of revolt

Libyans have taken part in a celebration marking six years of the Libyan revolution, which toppled strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Thousands waved flags in central Tripoli while others gathered in the capital’s Square flying the national flag as fireworks lit amidst sounded of horns by motorists.

“Today Misrata, with God’s will, is bright, all of Misrata, not just me, are celebrating the great revolution and it’s sixth anniversary and God willing, may our martyrs rest in peace. We tell the authorities, fear God in your treatment of us, the people are happy and you’ve ruined and stolen our joy,” one man taking part in Friday’s celebrations in Misrata told Reuters TV.

Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which started work in March, were deployed to ensure a trouble-free event.

Gaddafi was killed two months later after the uprising commenced. He was later found hiding in a storm drain after fleeing a siege to his home town of Sirte. Footage released of his last moment showed rebels dragging him a long the road. His body was then left for some days to rot before it was buried in a secret place in the desert.

The oil-rich North African country has been wracked by chaos since Gadhafi’s killing.

This has also come with power cuts, exorbitant prices and security issues including clashes of rival groups that plague their daily lives.

The country has also witnessed an upsurge on number of immigrants using the country as a transit point to access European countries.